title: Mediators of multiple organ failure.
abstract: Multiple Organ Failure (MOF) has largely been attributed to bacterial sepsis, though conclusive evidence of an essential role for bacteria and/or their endotoxins is still lacking. On the other hand, MOF and the clinical syndrome of sepsis may be aseptically induced in germ-free animals. This paper reviews the evidence that excessive activation of endogenous humoral mediators and inflammatory cells may cause this highly lethal syndrome.
authors.affiliation: Department of General Surgery, University Hospital St. Radboud, Nijmegen, The Netherlands.
authors.forename: R J
authors.initials: RJ
authors.lastname: Goris
mesh_terms: D003167:Complement Activation; D006801:Humans; D007249:Inflammation; D008264:Macrophages / Q000276:immunology; D008407:Mast Cells / Q000276:immunology; D009102:Multiple Organ Failure / Q000097:blood / Q000209:etiology / Q000276:immunology*; D009504:Neutrophils / Q000276:immunology; D012128:Respiratory Distress Syndrome / Q000097:blood / Q000150:complications / Q000276:immunology*